English: Publicity photo of Mona Palma (Mimi Palmeri) [1] from Stars of the Photoplay. Mimi Palmeri was born in New York City. Her ambition was to become a concert pianist. She studied during the winter, and her summer vacations were spent as a fashion model. Mrs. Arthur S. Friend, wife of the president of Distinctive Pictures, saw her photograph in a style publication and was impressed with her remarkable beauty. Mrs. Friend wrote Mimi, saying if she was interested in motion pictures to take the letter to Mr. Friend. And Mimi did. He, too, was moved by the girl's beauty and had screen tests taken of her immediately. Her first appearance was in "The Ragged Edge."